Viewpoint: Survey shows adults out-text young people

By Justin Hill, Guest Commentary :
May 14, 2013

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Texting and driving is one of the most dangerous byproducts of the technological age in which we live. Of course, we all have all seen the public service announcements, and we all know that stereotypical image of the texting teens creating a distracted driving hazard for the rest of the adults who are behind the wheel.

And there's something to be said for that. We are in the midst of an epidemic of fatal crashes involving teen drivers, and texting is too often the culprit.

But according to a new survey by wireless carrier AT&T, teenagers aren't the only ones who text while they're driving.

Throughout Texas and all over the country, it looks as if everyone – adults and teens alike – is putting others in danger by allowing themselves to be distracted by their electronic gadgets, when they should be focused on operating their vehicle.

AT&T conducted the survey of 1,011 adults as part of their “It Can Wait” campaign, and the results are startling. Although almost all of the adults – 98 percent – believe that texting while driving is wrong, 49 percent of them admitted having done so anyway.

In the teens' survey, only 43 percent admitted to texting while driving, which means it's possible that more adults than teens are performing this dangerous act.

In Texas, the law prohibits drivers under 18, drivers with learners permits, and school bus drivers from using cell phones for talking or texting while driving.

And although there is no statewide law against texting and driving in Texas as yet, a number of cities have enacted such laws, including Austin, Amarillo, Dallas, San Antonio, Galveston, El Paso, Missouri City and Stephenville.

Even if there is no law against texting and driving in your area, there is still a cost to texting and driving.

The risk of hurting or killing another driver is very real, and everyone, from car and cell phone makers to the state and federal governments, needs to step up to the plate and put an end to this problem.

So can drivers. In most cases, whoever sent that text can wait for a response. And if they can't, find a safe place to pull over and then respond.

Justin Hill is an attorney with San Antonio-based Ramsey Hill Law Group.